The operation, which took place between 15:45 hours and 19:23 hours, saw officers move deliberately through difficult terrain under strict operational discipline.

Upon arrival at the identified location, the NAIMOS team observed clear signs of active illegal mining; however, the operators had already fled ahead of the swoop.

Despite their sudden escape, the team maintained full control of the operational area and carried out a detailed technical assessment of the abandoned site.

Officers secured and dismantled three pumping machines and recovered one active control board used for coordinating washing operations. An engine found at the scene was rendered inoperable, and several water hoses were destroyed to prevent any immediate resumption of illegal activity.

The terrain showed extensive excavation, with large quantities of mineral-bearing material already prepared for washing, underscoring the scale of operations and the environmental damage underway.

Throughout the mission, operatives displayed high levels of professionalism, resilience, and operational maturity. Working under firm command and central remote coordination, the team demonstrated strong morale and readiness despite the challenging field conditions.

Their commitment reflected a clear understanding that their work directly protects water bodies, farmlands, and national resources from irreversible destruction.

Operational leadership commended the task force for their discipline and courage, emphasising that their efforts are not in vain. Officers were reminded that every abandoned machine, destroyed engine, and secured site represents communities safeguarded and national assets preserved.

With momentum building across the Western North operational zones, NAIMOS continues to tighten its grip on illegal mining networks.

The team completed the assignment feeling renewed, motivated, and professionally fulfilled, ready for subsequent deployments in defence of the national interest.

READ ALSO:

• Prof. Joshua Alabi questions GTEC’s position on SMC Doctorate holders
• Former President Kufuor blames DDEP, National Cathedral, and PDS deal for NPP’s 2024 defeat
• Over 100 residents in Sankore benefit from free medical screening

According to JoyNews’ Erastus Asare Donkor, the demonstrators, allegedly working for a local chief, obstructed traffic and assaulted some company personnel while demanding the release of the arrested miners.

The Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response Team had apprehended the miners earlier for engaging in illegal mining (galamsey) in a protected reserve.

This incident comes just days after the Inspector General of Police’s (IGP) special anti-galamsey task force temporarily withdrew from the area following a series of raids on illegal mining camps.

Despite the crackdown, the defiant miners reportedly returned to the forest, leading to their arrest.

Police in the area have called for reinforcements to restore order, as the blockade continues to disrupt movement in the community. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on whether the detained miners will be prosecuted.

Local leaders are being urged to intervene to prevent further escalation, as illegal mining remains a persistent challenge in Ghana’s forest reserves.

ALSO READ:

• 17 arrested in anti-galamsey operation in Samreboi 

• Police arrest 26 in Samreboi galamsey crackdown

The operation, led by ASP Mr. Adorye, followed credible intelligence about the movement of heavy-duty mining equipment near Samreboï in the Western Region.

According to ACP Eric Asiedu, Director of Special Operations at the Police Headquarters, the team moved swiftly to intercept two low-bed trucks each carrying an excavator. The vehicles were stopped outside the Samreboï township.

Prior to that interception, the team had raided a large illegal mining site at Akani, near Asankragua, where they arrested nine suspects and seized various pieces of mining equipment.

ACP Asiedu indicated that the operation is part of sustained efforts to enforce the law and support the Inspector-General of Police’s vision to curb illegal mining and protect the country’s natural resources.

All seized equipment has since been secured by the police as investigations continue.

ALSO READ:

• Galamsey: 21 more arrested in Samreboi Forest raid as operation enters day 4

• Galamsey activities wash away parts of Aboi Nkwanta-Samreboi road

The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, 22nd August 2024, right opposite a Roman Catholic Church in Samreboi.

According to reports, the accident involved two motorcycles and a tipper truck.

Sources who spoke to Adom News indicated that the deceased, who was riding one of the motorcycles, attempted to overtake the tipper truck, which was filled with sand.

During the overtaking attempt, he collided with another motorcycle, which then went under the truck.

The truck run over him, leading to his death.

The deceased has been identified as Osman Idrisu, popularly known as Inta, a miner.

He was reportedly sent from his work site to buy petrol when the accident occurred.

The two other individuals who sustained injuries in the accident have not yet been identified.

Emergency services responded, and the injured were taken to Samartex Hospital for treatment.

ALSO READ:

Ghanaian blogger jailed for 30 days over false news publication

Bono East Region commissions 89 DRIP machines to enhance road infrastructure

LPG Marketers assure of no shortage of LPG

They had loaded the fertilizers on an articulated truck ostensibly to transport them outside the area to sell to unsuspecting farmers at exorbitant prices when they were arrested.

The four suspects, Amadu Combat, 55; Kingsley Buah Wiredu, 32; Issaka Mbawuni, 38 and Dawda Yakubu, 44, were arrested last Sunday.

The suspects have subsequently been handed over to the police for further investigations.

Briefing journalists on the arrest, Charles Amenyaglo, Director, Special Duties at COCOBOD bemoaned the fact that people have unlawfully been purchasing fertilisers delivered to the farmers at highly subsidised rates.

“Some people have made it their business to be going round buying cocoa fertilisers delivered to the farmers at their doorsteps for use on their Cocoa farms.

“Then some persons will go round induce the farmers with money and buy the fertilisers to resell at an exorbitant price to farmers in other parts of the country. This is illegal”, he stressed.

He explained that until they are applied to the farms by the farmers, the owner of the fertilisers is still COCOBOD.

“We purchase the fertilisers at GHc560.00 per bag and give them to the cocoa farmers at GHc80.00 per bag.

“We procure the fertilisers, put them in a warehouse, transport them, to the farmer corporates for onward distribution to their members.

“We pay the loading at the unloading of fertilisers. So the farmers do not incur any cost at that point,” he revealed.

He disclosed that even the highly subsidised price of GHc80.00 is not paid by the farmers at the moment they received the fertilizers.

He explained that during the main crop season, the farmers pay 40 percent of the GHc80.00 and pay 20 percent of it in the minor season and then pay the remaining 40 percent during the following year’s main crop season.

He said the four suspects were hauled before a Takoradi court on Thursday on the charge of causing financial loss to the state.

“However, the court indicated that the charge was not supported by the facts. So the suspects were discharged. But I will assist the prosecution to get the proper charges and we will go back to the court”, he added.

The girl’s buttocks and part of her leg have been severely burnt by her 29-year-old mother.

The incident occurred at Oforikrom-Samreboi in the Amenfi West District of the Western Region.

Information gathered by Adom News indicates the mother bought the sandals for GHS 8.00.

Residents say the suspect lamented she could not fathom why the little girl will misplace them, hence her act by way of venting her frustration.

She added she noticed that her child’s private part was sore after reportedly hearing rumours that the child had been assaulted and decided to boil water to treat it.

The suspect is said to have been arrested by the Samreboi Police after a complaint was filed.

She was, however, granted bail because she is nursing a year-old baby.